9 Tips and Tricks for Back to School
Back to school season is upon us and no matter how old your kids are, they could always use some extra love and support when transitioning back into the classroom post summer break.
Back to school can be a time of both excitement and nervousness for what the new year has in store. Kids either cannot wait to go back and meet their buddies after a long break or they dread whatever will be thrown at them as they advance a grade.
Likewise, parents are either waiting in anticipation to send their kids back to school or shudder at the thought of the bustling school routines returning.
How To Be Prepared No Matter What Age Your Child Is
Whichever side of the spectrum you and your kids are on, the coming of the new school year is inevitable, so the best way to face it is to be well-prepared for it! If you have children starting school for the first time, or your teen is headed into their senior year of high school, this blog post will help you help them to be the best students they can be!
1. Start the conversation about school- Before summer break ends or in the first few days of the school year, find opportunities to talk to your child about the upcoming school year. When you talk with your child, remember that your most important job is to listen.
Children, like the rest of us, need to express their worries and frustrations to a compassionate listener, even when there are no good solutions to what’s bothering them. Just like adults make intentions for the new year, students can do the same for the new school year. Instead of allowing them to dwell on the post-summer blues, get them excited about going back to school.
Think of the things your child will love about school. It could be spending time with friends, having time to play with other kids, or about a subject they are interested in? Highlight these topics during your conversation so that they’ll have something to look forward to.
2. Take your child for a wellness checkup, especially if starting sports – You know your child best and it is important to make sure your child is healthy and growing appropriately for their age range and they can safely participate in fall sports. Most kids, especially young athletes do not get enough calories and protein throughout the day to support their growth as well as their extra activities, like school sports.
If your child will be entering preschool or kindergarten, considering boosting their immune system with a little extra Vitamin C and Zinc, since it might have been a while since your kids have been surrounded by so many other people at the same time. Make sure that they are starting the school year as healthy as they can be.
3. Let your kids pick out their new school supplies – This simple act will get your children excited about learning and invested in their education. This helps them to feel more in control of their schooling situation and makes them feel more involved and responsible.
Refreshing their library at the start of each school year can be an annual tradition with the intention of starting anew and resetting your child’s mindset. It might be frustrating and time consuming to let them take the lead, but it is well worth the effort. As you shop, take advantage of this rite of passage to discuss the upcoming year to keep those precious communication lines open.
4. Gradually adjust your schedule and routines – Kids are typically used to staying up late during summer vacation and getting up late. But as school time approaches, your child will need to be prepared to go to sleep earlier and wake up on time.
A sudden transition from casual bedtimes just a few days before school begins is probably not the best idea. Easing into the school routine a couple of weeks before school starts is a great way to get your child accustomed to proper schedules.
5. Encourage friendships and bonds with peers – Children can begin to look forward to going to school when they know that their friends will be there too. So, talk to your child about making new friends once school starts. Assure them that they do not have to be everyone’s friend but that they can make a little extra effort to make one or two new ones.
Encourage your child to bond with children in the neighborhood. They might find a buddy to keep them company on the first day of school!
6. Establish a quiet time/homework hour – Establish a quiet time at night if you don’t already have it. During the school year, this will become part of their homework time. But for now, let them read a book, comic, or magazine. What they do in quiet time is not important as long as no electronics are used.
Doing small things like this allows your child to transition a lot easier and keeps them feeling more involved with school when they are not physically at school.
7. Change up your summer home – Work together to give your house a clean sweep. Get rid of old clothes, organize lunch options and snacks so they’re easy to grab, and establish a clean, well-lit place, free of distractions, where your child will be able to do homework.
By getting rid of physical clutter, you also cut down on mental clutter. Before school starts, develop a homework routine and study system to create a foundation for learning.
8. Help your child feel comfortable at school – This applies a lot more to younger kids or kids starting at a new school. Many schools conduct orientation sessions before the new school year begins. If this is something that’s being offered in your child’s school, take advantage of this program, and join in.
If the school does not have an official orientation, ask when you can drop by the school so your child can meet their new teacher. Taking a few minutes to introduce your child to the new teacher will help them feel comfortable before the school year officially starts.
9. Set the example – Get up 30 minutes before your child for the first week back at school so you can shower and have your coffee before they wake; you’ll be cheerful, even if they aren’t! Once your child wakes up, have them follow their morning to-do list. If you’re up with them, smiling and encouraging routines they will follow right behind in your footsteps.
At the end of the day(s), serve a special snack and ask how everything went. Plan to have dinner together as a family, if possible, and talk about it some more. Going over the highlights of the day—and encouraging your child to talk about their hopes and fears—makes a terrific start to the year.
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